UK extends Nigerian officers’ visas to avert prison collapse

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The United Kingdom Government has granted emergency visa extensions to hundreds of foreign prison staff, the majority of whom were Nigerians at risk of deportation since changes were made to UK visa rules in July this year.

The British Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday that the move followed warnings that several prisons were facing an acute staffing crisis.

According to the BBC, the exemption applies only to applicants already in the UK and will run until the end of 2026, with a reduced salary threshold of £33,400 remaining in place until December 31, 2027.

Under recent visa rule changes, the British government raised the skilled worker visa threshold to £41,700 annually, above the average starting salary for new prison officers, which stands at about £33,000 outside London. Punch